在这部远野物语奇幻/恐怖片中,明治37年，日俄处于战争时期。灵山早池峰下的寺庙里正在庆祝蚕神节，一个琵琶法师在佐佐木家弹唱《清悦物语》。武夫在佐佐木家打短工，刚服兵役归来。虽然武夫与佐佐木17岁的女儿小夜自小就已定亲，但由于武夫家早已衰落，他也开始回避小夜。八幡神社欢庆蚕神节这一天，一旦武夫拉紧缰绳，佐佐木家的白马就变得像神马一般威风。今天以后，小夜大胆地拉住武夫要他吐露真情。当天晚上，武夫第一次与小夜拥抱在一起。不久以后武夫再度应征入伍，小夜拒绝了别人的提亲，光着双脚在神社里徘徊。在一个风雪交加的夜晚，佐佐木家的白马冲断栏杆奔向远方，小夜也像着魔一样跑向原野。家里人发现小夜失踪，乱成了一团。而一匹白马载着武夫和小夜，跑过早池峰，又奔向天空。
Sayo has just celebrated her sixteenth birthday when she attends a temple festival. On her way back she sees a large cherry tree which is infamous for the legend of dead white horse. When her fiancé returns from war and visits her he comes across a white horse which he takes in. The man also does not see himself engaged anymore as his family has lost its wealth.
